Apple Trade In for a MacBook, how it works and what it pays

Apple Trade In gives you credit for your old MacBook towards a new Apple product, or an Apple Gift Card, online or at an Apple Store. On 30 October 2026, Apple's trade-in page shows up to £1,035 for a MacBook Pro and up to £715 for a MacBook Air in the UK, and up to $1435 and up to $795 in the US.

How much will Apple give you for a MacBook?

Apple's trade-in page lists these top values for Mac laptops:

These are the highest values Apple shows, not what every MacBook gets. Apple's footnote says trade-in values "will vary based on the condition, year and configuration of your eligible trade-in device", and the UK version adds the country or region where the device was originally sold. Not all devices are eligible for credit.

Apple says the amount depends on the device, model, manufacturer and condition. If you answer its questions accurately and it receives your device within the time allowed, Apple says you'll most likely receive the full estimated amount.

How do you get a trade-in estimate for a Mac?

1. Find your serial number: choose Apple menu > About This Mac. Apple says you need it for an accurate value.
2. On Apple's trade-in page, choose Computer as the device type.
3. Answer Apple's questions about the Mac and its condition accurately.
4. Use the estimate as credit towards a new purchase, or take it as an Apple Gift Card.

You can get an estimate online and then trade in at an Apple Store. Apple says a Specialist checks the device there, so the in-store credit may differ from the online estimate if the condition doesn't match what you described.

What are the rules?

From the footnotes on Apple's UK and US trade-in pages:

• Age. In the UK you must be at least 18. In the US you must be at least the age of majority.
• ID in store. An in-store trade-in needs a valid photo ID.
• Online and in store can differ. The offer may not be available in all stores, and may vary between in-store and online trade-in.
• Desktops, UK. Apple's UK footnote says desktop computer trade-in is currently only available online.
• Sales tax, US. Apple's US footnote says sales tax may be assessed on the full value of a new device purchase.
• Engraving. If Apple engraved your device, its value isn't affected. Third-party engraving may affect it.

How does an online trade-in work?

1. Buy your new Mac online with a trade-in, or request an Apple Gift Card.
2. Apple either sends you a prepaid trade-in kit or emails you drop-off instructions.
3. Prepare your Mac and send it. Apple says it needs to receive your trade-in within 14 days of when you receive your new device, and your estimate is valid for those 14 days.
4. Apple checks that the condition matches what you described, then issues your credit or gift card.

Apple says the online process generally takes 2 to 3 weeks, and crediting may take 3 to 5 business days after that. You can track your trade-in status on Apple's site.

Before you pack it, follow Apple's steps for preparing a Mac, which are covered in how to wipe a MacBook for trade-in. If you trade in at an Apple Store, Apple says you only need to back up your data to iCloud before you go.

When do you get the credit?

It depends on how you pay, according to Apple's FAQ:

• Paid in full: the credit goes back to your original payment method, up to the total purchase price, after Apple receives the Mac and confirms its condition. If the trade-in is worth more than your new device, you get the rest as an Apple Gift Card by email.
• Paid partly with an Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance: the credit goes to that first, before your card.
• Monthly payments, UK: with a Flexible Finance Account by Creation, the credit lowers the amount you finance.

Apple notes that if your trade-in is close to the price of your new device, the amount left may be too low to qualify for financing, and you can choose to pay in full instead.

What if Apple offers you less?

If the condition is different from what you described, Apple sends a revised value:

• If it's lower, you can accept it or reject it. Reject it and Apple cancels the trade-in and returns your old device.
• If you accepted a lower value after paying monthly with an instant credit, Apple charges the difference to your payment method.
• If the revised value is higher, Apple increases your credit automatically.

Can you cancel an Apple trade-in?

Yes, until you send it. Apple says you can cancel by keeping your device if you haven't dropped it off or shipped it. Once Apple has your device, the trade-in can't be cancelled, though you can still reject a lower revised value. If you return the new device you bought with the trade-in, the trade-in is cancelled automatically.

What if your MacBook isn't worth anything?

Apple says it recycles any Apple device for free, in an Apple Store or through apple.com, whatever the model or condition. That includes batteries, cables, accessories and packaging. Before recycling, Apple says to back up your data and remove your personal data, because you'll no longer have access to the device afterwards. Other options for an old Mac are in what to do with your old MacBook.

Where Failshot fits

Your old Mac goes, and your new one holds everything. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security that, while it's on, photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video.

Failshot is for macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. The trial is on failshot.app, for the Mac. iPhone, Android and Windows are coming soon.

More questions

How much is my MacBook Pro worth on Apple Trade In?

Apple shows up to £1,035 in the UK and up to $1435 in the US for a MacBook Pro. Your actual value depends on the condition, year and configuration, so enter your serial number on Apple's trade-in page for an estimate.

How long does an Apple trade-in take for a Mac?

Apple says the online process generally takes 2 to 3 weeks. Your Mac must reach Apple within 14 days of you receiving your new device, and credit can take 3 to 5 business days to process.

Can I trade in a MacBook at an Apple Store?

Yes. Apple says Trade In is available on apple.com and in its retail stores. You'll need a valid photo ID, and the store value can differ from an online estimate if the condition doesn't match.

Can I get an Apple Gift Card instead of credit?

Yes. Apple says trade-in value can be applied to a qualifying new device purchase or added to an Apple Gift Card.

Do I need to turn off Find My before trading in my Mac?

Apple's trade-in page links to its steps for preparing a Mac before trade-in. Erasing your Mac and Find My are covered in how to wipe a MacBook for trade-in.

Sources

• Apple Trade In, Apple (UK)
• Apple Trade In, Apple (US)
• What to do before you sell, give away, trade in or recycle your Mac, Apple Support (UK)
• Apple introduces the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6, Apple Newsroom (UK), 27 October 2026